Hall County Assistant Public Defender Chris van Rossem was chosed as the Star Award winner at the 2017 Council of Accountability Court Judges' Training Conference in Athens last month.

"Chris treats each client with a level of respect, care, and consideration that is sometimes lost when dealing with a large case load," Hall County Superior Court Judge Kathlene F. Gosselin said. "He demonstrates true compassion for the wellbeing of the mental health court participants whom we serve and continually advocates for their advancement."

Van Rossem was one of eight people receiving awards at the event, where those who contribute in special ways to the success of treatment courts were recognized.

The top federal immigration official says his agency will have "no choice" but to conduct arrests in local neighborhoods and worksites in California after the governor signed a law that extends protections for immigrants

While the extradition process has begun to bring suspected Banks County shooter Dextavious McCurry back to Georgia to face charges, three more people have been arrested in connection with Thursday's incident.

U.S. officials say a soldier who had been missing for nearly two days in Niger has been found dead, a result of a deadly ambush by dozens of Islamic extremists on a joint patrol of American and Niger forces

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy had counted on his anti-abortion record as one of many planks to help him get elected to Congress eight times, and it was his perceived personal betrayal of that record that ended his career.

The Hall County Elections Board held its first meeting under the leadership of a new chairman Tuesday afternoon, and while the tone was cordial, there was opposition from one board member to Dr. Tom Smiley's appointment.